The Best Dog Breeds For Children

The best dog breeds for children come in a variety of sizes, shapes, colors and personalities. This page helps you pick the right one for your home and family.

Although there's no definitive 'list' that can tell you which dog is going to be perfect for you and your kids, there are some popular breeds which have, over time, proven that they make great family pets.

Let's start off easy by taking a look at the Top 10 Family Dogs as approved by PetMD (then we'll look at other breeds and the types of families they're best suited to):

The Bulldog

Gentle, affectionate, not overly energetic. Gets along well with most people and pets. May be bossy with other dogs if not trained or socialized properly.

Usually snores, can suffer from skin, breathing, eye and reproductive problems. More...

The Beagle

Happy, friendly, lively little dog who loves to be in on the 'action'. Has an independent mind and can take off 'chasing a scent', so needs fenced yard.

Pretty robust, can suffer from mange, eye problems and some bone/joint problems. More...

The Bull Terrier

Throw away your preconceptions! This is a happy, friendly, active little dog who loves people. Tendency to be bossy if not trained/socialized properly.

Friendly, sociable and even-tempered. Active and easy to train. Gets along with most people, dogs and pets.

Can suffer from bone/joint disorders such as hip & elbow dysplasia and arthritis when older. More...

The Golden Retriever

Similar to the Lab - a friendly, happy, easy-going dog who likes to be active and is eager to please.

In addition to bone/joint issues can suffer from heart and eye problems. More...

The Mixed-Breed Dog

Mixed breed dogs come in all shapes, sizes and personalities. They're usually well-balanced, happy and friendly.

Generally considerably healthier overall than purebred dogs.

It pays to remember that every pup is unique and has their own, individual personality, and that just because your new pup is of a particular breed that doesn't mean he'll be exactly like any other pup of the same breed... or even from the same litter!

Look for a breed whose breed characteristics mesh with your family's home and lifestyle and you'll find that your two-legged and four-legged children build a happy, loving relationship that lasts a lifetime.

Although all the breeds featured above are likely to make a great pet for your family, there are lots of others that fit the bill as well.

But because all families are different, not every child-friendly breed is right for you.

To help you sort it out, here's a closer look at dog breeds and the type of family they're most likely to suit:

Best Breeds For Families With Small Children

When you're looking for the best dog breeds for children who are still toddlers, don't assume a small or tiny breed fits the bill.

It may seem logical at first (ie small child therefore small dog), but many little dogs are very delicate and very young children can easily injure, or even kill, a tiny dog by dropping them, stepping (or falling!) on them, shutting them in a door etc.

Obviously totally accidental, but no less harmful. There are lots of different types of small dogs though, so don't rule out a breed just because it weighs less than 10lbs or so - consider the whole package.

Conversely, the very large or giant breeds aren't necessarily the best choice either.

Large breed puppies are pretty sturdy and robust and the scenario above is turned on it's head, because some large to giant breed dogs are very laid back, easy going and tolerant pets but their sheer size can make them a potential hazard to very small/young children.

A Mastiff could quite easily knock down your toddler while trying to play, or say 'hello'.

It's difficult to stop very young children
from poking, prodding or pulling at a puppy, or from smothering him
(perhaps literally) with hugs and kisses.

A mid-sized breed known for
their calm, confident and tolerant temperament is best.

These might include:

Beagle

Boston Terrier

Cocker Spaniel

Corgi

English Bulldog

English Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Wheaten Terrier

Best Dogs For Children Of School-Age & Older

Grade school kids are bigger, stronger and better co-ordinated than pre-schoolers plus they can understand and follow puppy-care guidelines and show empathy.

All in all, choosing the best dog breeds for children of this age is quite a bit easier!

You don't need to rule out breeds on either end of the size scale, very
small breeds and very large ones can both be suitable for a family with
children aged from 6 - 18.

If your children are a bit older and
you have the room for a big dog there are lots of good choices, including popular breeds such Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers and German Shepherds - plus those you might not see as much such as Great Pyrenees, Old English Sheepdogs, Great Danes or Mastiffs.

In
this situation taking a close look at your family's activity level,
lifestyle and home are the best way to make sure that you make the right
decision.

If you're active as a family and enjoy
camping/hiking/fishing/bike-riding/sports/horseback-riding etc., then
you should can look at fairly high-energy breeds and working dogs.

If
you have grade-school to teenage children, have plenty of space and
time to exercise and 'work' with a pup, and are interested in
dog-related sports such as Agility, Obedience, Flyball etc., then a
Border Collie puppy (or one from another energetic breed) could be the
perfect match for you.

Best Dog Breeds For Kids With Allergies

There's no such thing as an 'allergy-free dog', but there are certain breeds that are more suitable in this sort of situation.

People can be allergic to
dog hair, dog dander and dog saliva - so even hairless dog breeds can
still trigger a reaction, but less common and less likely to be severe.

There are only a handful of hairless dogs, these include American Hairless Terrier and the Chinese Crested, but there are also more 'mainstream' dog breeds whose coat is considered to be hypoallergenic.

These include dog breeds with long silky hair, those with certain curly coats, and some hybrid or designer dog breeds.

Here are a few of the best dog breeds for children who have allergies.....

American Hairless Terrier

Bichon Frise

Chinese Crested

Cockapoo

Coton de Tulear

Goldendoodle

Havanese

Kerry Blue Terrier

Komondor

Labradoodle

Maltese

Peruvian Inca Orchid

Poodle

Xoloitzcuintli

Yorkshire Terrier

To get detailed info on any of the breeds listed (and many more) just >> CLICK HEREto the American Kennel Club website

Got A Shortlist? Here's What Comes Next....

I've tried to find something for everyone on this page,so if you've managed to choose a breed (or a
shortlist of several potential 'winners') it's now time to move on to
searching for that perfect puppy!

Here are a few tips and hints to help you on your way................

It's always important to be sure to buy your puppy from a
reputable breeder and always try to see the parents of the puppies to be
sure that they're sound physically and temperamentally.

This is a great 'Puppy Owners Manual' for anyone who has kids and is wanting to add a dog to the mix (or vice versa!).

An
easy to follow, reader-friendly guide which covers all the
basics. Including showing new puppy owners how to learn about dog
behavior, how to communicate with and socialize their new 'furchild',
and help their children learn responsible dog ownership.

Choosing
the best dog breed isn't the only task if you're adding a
new pup to your home, this book will guide you through the next stages.
Recommended!

There are lots more excellent books that can help you and your kids prepare for dog ownership, and also explore training methods, tricks and other fun stuff.

Kids and dogs can make the very best partners, but it's up to you to help them all learn how to show love and respect to each other.